Bad attitudes ‘infecting nursing’

DEPUTY Minister of Labour Rosalia Nghidinwa has expressed concern that the nursing profession is becoming a career for the unemployed rather than being seen as a vocation.

Speaking as a former nurse, Nghidinwa said during debate on the Nursing Bill on Tuesday, the profession changed considerably over the years and nurses were increasingly being accused of “bad attitudes and behaviour”. “We are no more in the footsteps of Florence Nightingale, the women with a lamp, lighting the [way for the] nursing profession.Nowadays we are choosing the career because of unemployment – just to get a job,” she said.Nghidinwa said choosing to enter the nursing profession would prove difficult for those who did not have an “inner calling for it”.The proposed Nursing Bill is set to repeal the Nursing Professions Act of 1993, and two amendments from 1994 and 1998.The legislation currently before the National Assembly provides for a professional council to regulate the registration of nurses, specify education and training requirements and to wield the disciplinary powers of the council.In response to frequent complaints by patients that they were not treated well by the country’s nursing staff, Nghidinwa said it had to be acknowledged that nurses were overloaded and overworked.Rising numbers of chronically ill patients affected by HIV-AIDS, tuberculosis and cancer patients in hospitals countrywide, she said, were adding to their frustrations.Added Nghidinwa: “Namibian nurses have at least more benefits – such as overtime and other allowances – more than other nurses in southern Africa.”But, the Deputy Minister said, these benefits too were being abused.She claimed that some nursing staff opted to work on weekends only to score greater overtime allowances.”I hope that the Nursing Bill will eliminate these past problems and make the nursing profession a profession of love and care for all Namibians” she added.In his remarks, Swapo.MP Elia Kaiyamo said the Bill would create unity among nurses and this would become apparent through their behaviour and attitude towards their patients.He also stressed the need for well-trained nurses and not “parasites that will destroy our people in our hospitals”, he said.Health Minister Libertina Amathila gave notice that she intended to table an amendment to the draft legislation soon.”We are no more in the footsteps of Florence Nightingale, the women with a lamp, lighting the [way for the] nursing profession.Nowadays we are choosing the career because of unemployment – just to get a job,” she said.Nghidinwa said choosing to enter the nursing profession would prove difficult for those who did not have an “inner calling for it”.The proposed Nursing Bill is set to repeal the Nursing Professions Act of 1993, and two amendments from 1994 and 1998.The legislation currently before the National Assembly provides for a professional council to regulate the registration of nurses, specify education and training requirements and to wield the disciplinary powers of the council.In response to frequent complaints by patients that they were not treated well by the country’s nursing staff, Nghidinwa said it had to be acknowledged that nurses were overloaded and overworked.Rising numbers of chronically ill patients affected by HIV-AIDS, tuberculosis and cancer patients in hospitals countrywide, she said, were adding to their frustrations.Added Nghidinwa: “Namibian nurses have at least more benefits – such as overtime and other allowances – more than other nurses in southern Africa.”But, the Deputy Minister said, these benefits too were being abused.She claimed that some nursing staff opted to work on weekends only to score greater overtime allowances.”I hope that the Nursing Bill will eliminate these past problems and make the nursing profession a profession of love and care for all Namibians” she added.In his remarks, Swapo.MP Elia Kaiyamo said the Bill would create unity among nurses and this would become apparent through their behaviour and attitude towards their patients.He also stressed the need for well-trained nurses and not “parasites that will destroy our people in our hospitals”, he said.Health Minister Libertina Amathila gave notice that she intended to table an amendment to the draft legislation soon.